Dissecting Associations Of Estradiol And Testosterone With Cardiovascular Outcomes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,082.00
Summary
Controversy persists over whether falling testosterone (T) levels in ageing men increase risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). T is converted by the enzyme aromatase into estradiol (E2). We will assess whether men with abnormal E2 levels are at risk of CVD, more so than men with low T. We will assess whether differences in the aromatase gene which alter E2 levels also influence the risk of CVD. The results will clarify the importance of hormones to CVD and guide new approaches to its treatment.
Trajectories Of Circulating Testosterone And Estradiol And Implications For The Health Of Ageing Men.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,033.00
Summary
Older men with low testosterone levels have more ill-health. However, it is unclear whether age causes testosterone levels to fall, predisposing to disease, or whether changes in hormone levels result from pre-existing illness. We previously measured sex hormone levels in older men in Western Australia in 2001-04. By measuring hormone levels in new samples from 1400 of these men taken in 2011-12, we will clarify trajectories of sex hormone levels and their relationship to healthy ageing.
Investigating The Interaction Between BDNF And Sex Steroid Hormones During Adolescent Development: Relevance To Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,048.00
Summary
Schizophrenia first appears clinically during late adolescence. Sex hormones as well as growth factors such as Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are involved in shaping the adolescent brain to its adult form. Alterations to these systems may contribute to structural changes seen in schizophrenia. This project will investigate the interaction of BDNF and sex hormones in the development of the adolescent mouse brain, and behavioural responses with relevance to schizophrenia.
Effect Of Bisphosphonates On Bone Architecture And Glucose Metabolism In Men With Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,215.00
Summary
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a type of hormonal treatment which is effective for prostate cancer treatment. However, ADT may cause bone fragility, weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. We will examine the effects of a bone strengthening treatment on bone structure and glucose metabolism in men receiving ADT. This trial should help in better define the risk benefit ratio of ADT, and therefore provide treating doctors with better guidance as to when and how to use this therapy.
Sex Hormones And Heart Disease In Older Women Study (The SHOW Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,672.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD, heart disease and stroke) is the leading cause of death in women aged 65 and over. Counter-intuitively, androgens may be as, or even more important, than estrogens in determining CVD risk and all-cause mortality in women, but this is yet to be verified. We will document blood levels of androgens in women aged 70+ and determine whether androgens are associated with CVD and death in this large cohort of elderly well women.
Testosterone Intervention For The Prevention Of Diabetes Mellitus In High Risk Men: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,054,654.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly common, costly and deadly. Some men at risk of T2DM have low testosterone (T) levels. Our preliminary data suggests that T treatment may prevent the development of T2DM, and improve cardiovascular and sexual function, body composition and bone density, and mood. This remains to be fully tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, and this project will do so in a 2-year study of T treatment compared to placebo in men at risk of T2DM participating in a l ....Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly common, costly and deadly. Some men at risk of T2DM have low testosterone (T) levels. Our preliminary data suggests that T treatment may prevent the development of T2DM, and improve cardiovascular and sexual function, body composition and bone density, and mood. This remains to be fully tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, and this project will do so in a 2-year study of T treatment compared to placebo in men at risk of T2DM participating in a lifestyle program.Read moreRead less
Molecular Mechanisms Of Testosterone Action On Midbrain Dopamine Neuron Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,739.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is characterized by psychosis, social and occupational dysfunction and cognitive deficits. Males are more often diagnosed and more severely impaired than females. Onset in males is most frequent during adolescence, a time of increasing sex hormones. We ask, how do sex hormones act on the adolescent male brain to impact the onset and symptoms of schizophrenia? The answer will allow development of gender and age-specific interventions to prevent onset or ameliorate symptoms.
Modulation Of MicroRNA Activity In The Testis: A New Paradigm For Male Fertility?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,170.00
Summary
Sperm production in the testis is driven by the reproductive hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. In this grant, we will investigate how a new class of molecules, called microRNAs, act to transmit the signals from FSH and testosterone to the cellular machinery of the testis, particularly at junctions between cells. This information has the potential to impact on our understanding of the causes of male infertility.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2c And Human Testicular Dysgenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,197.00
Summary
Disorders of sex development (DSD) account for 7.5% of all birth defects. DSDs that affect testis development lead to testicular tumours, ambiguous genitalia, male-to-female sex reversal, and infertility. We have identified a novel protein (FGFR2) essential for testis development in mice and found the first FGFR2 mutations in DSD patients with testicular dysgenesis. Understanding the molecular action of FGFR2 will lead to improved diagnosis and management of DSD.